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The FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties is in urgent need of donations, and for those that live in Asbury Park a drop-off location is close by.

Eyes of the World, located in the Shoppes at the Arcade at 658 Cookman Avenue, is accepting non-perishable food items and monetary donations for the local food bank, shop owner Eleni Passes confirmed.

A collection box has been set up in front of the large Budha near the entrance of her store [shown above] for two weeks, but it is still empty.

“I don’t have a thing yet—but we’ll see,” she said.

While Eyes of the World is the only Asbury Park drop off location, several donation centers are also located in nearby Ocean Grove. Non-perishables can be taken to Diane Turton Realtors, 45 Main Ave.; Pet Boutique, 60 Main Ave.; Comfort Zone, 44 1/2 Main Ave.; The Emporium, 65 Main Ave.; and Fusion, 52 Main Ave.

Perishable and non-perishables can be dropped off at The Windmill, located at 18 South Main St.

The donations collected will be used to deliver holiday meals to more than 127,000 people, including working poor families and individuals, children, low-income seniors, the disabled and others who face hunger throughout the nearby community, according to a news release from the FoodBank.

Most needed items include fresh or frozen turkeys and turkey breasts, thanksgiving side dishes like stuffing mixes, gravy, potatoes, cranberry sauce, canned fruit and vegetables, general items like soup and cereal, and canned meals such as beef stew, ravioli and pasta, the release stated.

Lingering effects of the economic crisis, the financial impact of Hurricane Sandy and cuts in food stamp benefits have increased the need for emergency food donations, the release stated.

“This holiday season, we’re counting on the generosity of the community to help us meet the increased need for food,” Carlos M. Rodriguez, executive director of the FoodBank, said in the release.“Many of our neighbors are still struggling to recover from Hurricane Sandy, and the need remains high throughout Monmouth and Ocean counties.”

Last year, the FoodBank distributed a record 8.5 million pounds of food, the release stated.

Eyes of the World is open from noon to 5 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays; Saturdays from noon to 8 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 6 p.m. The store is closed on Tuesdays. Call 908-839-8027 for more information.

Donations can also be dropped off directly at the FoodBank, 3300 Route 66 in Neptune from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday –Friday. The FoodBank will also be open 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23. After hours, non-perishable donations can be dropped off in the shed on the side of the building.

A list of additional locations throughout Monmouth and Ocean Counties is available on the FoodBank website. For more information, call 732-918-2600.   

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